A soft baby carrier

ABSTRACT

A baby carrier having at least two carrier parts, a carer&#39;s attachment system to be mounted on the carer and a baby part to be mounted on the baby. The baby part and carer&#39;s attachment system are adapted to be connected. The baby part and carer&#39;s attachment part have first and second connector elements that are mutually connectable and function as the main point of carriage. The first connector element is centrally positioned on the baby part at a position corresponding to a position adjacent to the baby&#39;s upper torso when the baby part has been mounted on the baby to ensure a connection stable and balanced relative to the center of gravity of the baby. Only the connector elements need to be connected and function as the carrier point, so the baby part with a baby inside can be mounted to the carer&#39;s attachment system in a single action.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a baby carrier consisting of a carer's attachment system for a caretaker and a baby part.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous benefits of a baby wearing/using a baby carrier—in short, it can make life easier for the parents and the baby. Baby wearing has been an essential part of child rearing in many cultures for centuries; in recent decades the practice has grown in popularity in many cultures as parents have come to realise its many advantages. Some advantages of using baby carriers are:

-   -   Holding newborns in close physical contact with a caretaker has         physical and physiological benefits for the baby.     -   Baby carriers allow a caretaker to provide the baby with the         physical comfort while still having hands free for other         activities.     -   An upright position is great for babies with reflux. The slight         pressure on the stomach from being worn also helps with gas         issues.     -   A colicky baby is more easily soothed when snuggled and rocked         in a baby carrier. It is also much easier on a caretaker's arms         to have the baby carrier helping with the holding.     -   Baby carriers can go many places more easily than e.g. a         stroller: maneuvering in crowded places, walking the dog,         hiking, sightseeing, and using public transportation are all         made easier by using a baby carrier instead of a stroller.     -   Once the baby is aware of the world, a baby carrier provides a         better view of the surroundings. Carried babies are more easily         made a part of the action.

There are a number of baby carriers on the market, and common for most of these are that it is a quite cumbersome process to place the baby in the baby carrier. Typically, the caretaker has to initially mount the carer's attachment system on his/her body, then the mounted baby part has to be opened in the front for placing and securing the baby in the baby part. This process requires a simultaneous balancing of the baby while securing the baby in the baby carrier.

In WO2012/102670, a baby carrier is described, where each side of the baby part is attached to parts attached to the carer's attachment system and in order to place the baby, one side has to be disconnected, and after the baby has been placed, especially the legs of the baby have to be positioned correctly according to a seat part and while positioning and holding the baby at the right position, the disconnected side has to be connected again. Therefore, at the same time, the baby has to be placed correctly, held at the right position, and the side has to be reconnected. This is a quite cumbersome and complex process which could have the consequence of dropping the baby e.g. due to losing the grip of the baby or due to the reconnecting of the sides not being performed properly.

An object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned problems by providing a baby carrier which is more simple to use and therefore more user-friendly and more safe to use.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the invention, a baby carrier is provided to be used when a person is carrying a baby, wherein said baby carrier comprises at least two parts, a carer's attachment system to be secured on said person/caretaker and a baby part to be on said baby, and wherein these two parts are connected. The baby part and the carer's attachment system comprise a first connector element and a second connector element, respectively, wherein said first and second connector elements are mutually connectable and are functioning as a main point of carriage, and wherein said first connector element on the baby part is positioned on said baby part at a position corresponding to a position being adjacent the upper torso of the baby, when the baby part has been mounted on the baby. The two part baby carrier ensures that the mounting can be performed in separate processes and especially when fastening the baby part on a baby, this can be done while the baby is laying on a surface and not until both the baby part and the carer's attachment system have been mounted on the baby and the caretaker, respectively, the two parts are interconnected via the first and second connector elements.

The assembly and use of the baby carrier follows a simple method. If the baby is to be carried on the front of the caretaker, a first method is used. First, the caretaker mounts the carer's attachment system on him/herself. Secondly, the caretaker mounts the baby part on the baby. These two steps can be interchanged. Thirdly, the caretaker brings the first and second connector elements into an attached position. If the baby is to be carried on the back of the caretaker, a second method is used. First, the baby is mounted in the baby part. Secondly, the baby part is connected to the second connector element of the carer's attachment system. Thirdly, the caretaker mounts the assembled baby carrier on him/herself. These two methods allow the caretaker to safely and easily put the baby into either a front or back position depending on convenience without assistance, where the essential assembly of the two parts is always made up of a single, easy and safe maneuver.

The first connector element may consist of one discrete connector interface, two discrete connector interfaces, multiple such discrete connector interfaces or even a continuous surface of such connection interfaces, placed substantially at a position corresponding to a position being adjacent the upper torso of the baby, when the baby part has been mounted on the baby.

When it is desired to carry the baby e.g. on the back of the caretaker, the first connector element on the baby part with the baby secured inside can be mounted to the second connector element on the carer's attachment system before mounting the baby carrier on the torso of the caretaker.

Thereby, the baby part with the baby inside can be safely mounted to the carer's attachment system by the person carrying the carer's attachment system, and this can be done in one single action since only the connector elements need to be connected and function as the carrier point, whereby the baby is perfectly balanced in an upright position after mounting and the hands of the caretaker are free for operation when standing and/or walking. The single connection is sufficient for holding the baby and thereby, it becomes quite fast to make the connection. In an embodiment, further straps could be used to further secure the baby part to the carer's attachment system. The central upper torso position of the first connector element ensures that the baby will not tilt either backwards or sideways thus making the connection stable and balanced. Another benefit of this more simple invention is that it allows easier handling of the baby. The caretaker may for example put a sleeping baby onto a handling table before disassembling the baby part, thus easing this process and increasing the likelihood that the baby remains asleep.

In the above, the first and second connector elements are positioned at the baby part and the carer's attachment system, respectively. In one embodiment, the first connector element may be of a male type and the second of a female type. The connectability between the two elements is important and in another embodiment, this could also be obtained by the first connector element being a female type and the second connector element being a male type. The connection could likewise be obtained with any other kind of two part connecter solution than male-female.

The first connector element on the baby part should, however, be positioned at the area of the upper torso, either in front of the baby's torso, behind the baby's torso, or both.

In an embodiment, the second connector element is positioned on the front and on the back of the carer's attachment system at a position, which is adjustable, thus ensuring that the mouth and nose of the baby will not be blocked.

The carer's attachment system should be at a position ensuring that the mouth and nose of the baby are at the free area between the upper torso of the caretaker and the chin of the caretaker thus ensuring that the baby can get sufficient air.

In an embodiment, the first connector element is centrally positioned at a position corresponding to a position being adjacent to the upper torso of the baby, more specifically at the uppermost part along or above the armpits of the baby.

By positioning the first connector element on the baby part in the upper torso area, the body of the baby will be blocked against the body of the caretaker which, together with the fact that the position is above the center of gravity of the baby, ensures that the baby will stay in an upright position after connection in the second connector element.

In an embodiment, the second connector element is positioned corresponding to a position being adjacent to the front and/or the back of the torso of the caretaker, when the carer's attachment system has been secured to the caretaker.

Thereby, the baby can be carried at a number of different positions and further, it is possible to carry two babies or alternatively, a baby and a bag or similar.

The second connector element may consist of one discrete connector interface, two discrete connector interfaces, multiple such discrete connector interfaces or even a continuous surface of such connection interfaces, placed substantially at a position corresponding to a position being adjacent the upper torso of the caretaker, when the carer's attachment system has been mounted on the caretaker. The first and second connector elements may be integrated into the baby part and the carer's attachment system, respectively, or one or both may be separate, removable elements.

In an embodiment, the second connector element is removable from and attachable to the carer's attachment system in a number of points, preferably two points.

In an embodiment, the first connector element is positioned corresponding to a position being adjacent to the front and/or the back of the torso of the baby, when the baby part has been secured to the baby.

In an embodiment, the first connector element comprises e.g. a hook for inserting into a hole in the second connector element, whereby the second connector element carries the first connector element.

To avoid the hazards of unintentional release of the first connector element on the baby part from the second connector element on carer's attachment system, the weight of the child acts against the release. In an embodiment, the first and second connector elements contain a mechanism for achieving a locked or closed position, ensuring a safe carriage of the baby where an accidental reversal of forces acting on the connector elements does not loosen or release the connection. Such a reversal of forces might be due to the carer's falling, jumping or other such incident. In one embodiment, a locked position is obtainable by using a spring-loaded connection.

In an embodiment, the first and second connector elements may comprise magnetic means for mutual magnetic attraction between the first and second connector elements.

Thereby, it should be simpler to connect the first and the second connector without requiring precise positioning.

Further, the present invention relates to a carer's attachment element and a baby part element for a baby carrier according to the above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which

FIGS. 1a I and II illustrate an embodiment of the carer's attachment system of a baby carrier according to the present invention in a front view I and in a rear view II, respectively,

FIGS. 1b I and II illustrate an embodiment of the baby part of a baby carrier according to the present invention in a front view I and in a side view II, respectively,

FIGS. 2 I and II illustrate an embodiment, where the front first connector element on the baby part and the front second connector element on carer's attachment system are connected, whereby the baby is facing in on the front of the caretaker. I is illustrated from the side, and II is illustrated from the back of the caretaker.

FIGS. 3 I and II illustrate an embodiment, where the front first connector element on the baby part and the rear second connector element on the carer's attachment system are connected, whereby the baby is facing in on the back of the caretaker,

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment, where the rear first connector element on the baby part and the front second connector element on the carer's attachment system are connected, whereby the baby is facing out on the front of the caretaker.

FIGS. 5 I and II illustrate one embodiment of the invention, where the second connector element is removable from the carer's attachment system and is connectable thereto in two different configurations. FIG. 5 I illustrates attaching the second connector element in the front. FIG. 5 II illustrates attaching the second connector element on the back. FIGS. 5 I and II also illustrate an attachment point on the front of the carer's attachment system, whereby the carer's attachment system can be opened and closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a I and II illustrate an embodiment of a carer's attachment system of a baby carrier according to the present invention in a front view I and a rear view II, respectively. The baby carrier has two parts including a carer's attachment system 101 to be secured on a caretaker/person 103. The carer's attachment system 101 is mounted on the caretaker 103 via adjustable straps and in the illustrated embodiment, the straps are positioned across the shoulders of the caretaker 103 and as cross straps around the torso of the caretaker 103. In the illustration, the carer's attachment system is illustrated as secured to a caretaker, and a second connector element 105 is positioned at the front of the carer's attachment system 101. The second connector element 105 is for connecting a first connector element (illustrated in FIG. 1b ) positioned on the baby part (illustrated in FIG. 1b ) of the baby carrier. In the illustrated embodiment, the second connector elements are positioned both at the front 105 of the caretaker 103 and at the back 107 of the caretaker 103.

FIGS. 1b I and II illustrate an embodiment of a baby part of a baby carrier according to the present invention in a front view I and in a side view II, respectively. The baby part 111 is mounted on the baby 114 via adjustable straps and in the illustrated embodiment, the straps are positioned around the chest of the baby and connected at the seat of the baby 114. Further, he straps are designed to provide good sitting comfort for the baby, whereby the baby can rest while being carried, and whereby carrying is also safe. In the illustration, the baby part 111 is illustrated as mounted on a baby, and a first connector element 113 is positioned at the front of the baby part. The connector element is for connecting to the second connector element (not illustrated) positioned on the carer's attachment system (FIGS. 1a I and II) of the baby carrier. In the illustrated embodiment, the first connector elements 113, 115 are positioned both at the front of the baby part 111 and at the back of the baby part 111. The baby carrier is used by mounting the carer's attachment system to the body of the person (caretaker) and the baby part to the body of the baby. Thereafter, the person can lift the baby part with the baby inside and connect the first connector element 113/115 to the second connector element 105/107. Thereby, the baby can be held in a upright position, and the hands of the caretaker are free. Because the first connector element 113/115 is centrally positioned on the baby part 111 at a position corresponding to a position being adjacent to the upper torso of the baby (illustrated in the area of the dotted line 121), a stable connection is obtained which ensures that the body of the baby does not tilt to either sideways or backwards. The position of the first connector element ensures that the baby is held in a stable and upright position.

As a supplement, a head support may be mounted on the baby part to give further support to the head of especially newborn babies.

Furthermore, the baby part is designed to ensure optimal and comfortable support of the hips and back of the baby. Further, the baby part should be optimised according to the body changes during growth of the baby. Elements of the baby part, which should be considered, are e.g. support of the hips, back, chest and head of the baby.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment, where the first connector element is positioned on the front part of the baby part, and the second connector element is positioned on the front part of the carer's attachment system, whereby the person and the baby are facing each other.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment, where the first connector element is positioned on the front part of the baby part and the second connector element is positioned on the rear part of the carer's attachment system, whereby the baby is facing the neck of the caretaker.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment, where the first connector element is positioned on the rear part of the baby part and the second connector element is positioned on the front part of the carer's attachment system, whereby the caretaker is facing the neck of the baby.

FIGS. 5 I and II illustrate one embodiment of the invention, where the second connector element is removable from the carer's attachment system. The second connector element is attachable to the carer's attachment system in two attachment points on the front of the carer's attachment system (131, 133, see FIG. 5 I) and/or two attachment points on the back of the carer's attachment system (135, 137, see FIG. 5 II). The arrows on FIGS. 5 I and II illustrate direction of assembly by attachments points 131, 133, 135 and 137.

FIG. 5 I further illustrates the carer's attachment system being able to open and close for easy mounting on the body through a fifth attachment point (139). 

1. A baby carrier to be used when a person (103) is carrying a baby (114), wherein said baby carrier comprises at least two carrier parts (101, 111), a carer's attachment system (101) to be mounted on said person/caretaker (103) and a baby part (111) to be mounted on said baby (114), and wherein said baby part (111) and said carer's attachment system (101) are adapted to be connected, wherein said baby part (111) and said carer's attachment part (101) comprise a first connector element (113/115) and a second connector element (105/107), respectively, wherein said first (113) and second (105) connector elements are mutually connectable and are functioning as a main point of carriage, and wherein said first connector element (113) is positioned on said baby part (111) at a position corresponding to a position being adjacent the upper torso of the baby (114), when the baby part (111) has been mounted on the baby (114).
 2. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein said first connector element (113) is positioned at a position corresponding to a position being adjacent to the center of the upper torso of the baby (114), when the baby part (111) has been mounted on the baby (114).
 3. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein the first connector element (113/115) is centrally positioned at a position corresponding to a position being adjacent to the upper torso of the baby (114), more specifically at the uppermost part (121) along or above the armpits of the baby.
 4. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein the second connector element (105/107) is positioned corresponding to a position being adjacent to the front and/or the back of the torso of the person/caretaker (103), when the carer's attachment system (101) has been mounted on the person/caretaker (103).
 5. A baby carrier according claim 1, wherein the first connector element (113/115) is positioned corresponding to a position being adjacent to the front and/or the back of the torso of the baby (114), when the baby part (111) has been mounted on the baby.
 6. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein the first connector element (113/115) and second connector element (105/107) contain a mechanism for achieving a locked position once connected.
 7. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein the first connector element (113/115) comprises e.g. a hook for inserting into a hole in the second connector element (105/107), whereby the second connector element (105/107) carries the first connector element (113/115).
 8. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein said first (113/115) and second (105/107) connector element comprise e.g. magnetic means for mutually magnetic attraction between the first (113/115) and the second (105/107) connector elements.
 9. A carer's attachment system for a baby carrier according to claim
 1. 10. A baby part for a baby carrier according to claim
 1. 